British Columbia generally charges 5% Goods and Services Tax (GST) and 7% Provincial Sales Tax (PST), for a combined rate of 12% on purchases subject to both taxes. Use this British Columbia sales tax calculator to add GST and PST to a price or calculate the taxes included in a tax-inclusive total.
Enter a value in any field—price before tax, GST amount, PST amount or price after tax—and the other values will be calculated automatically. The calculator assumes that both the standard 5% GST and 7% B.C. PST apply.
Rates last checked: August 15, 2026. The standard rates are 5% GST and 7% B.C. PST, for a combined rate of 12% when both taxes apply. Data sources: Canada Revenue Agency and Government of British Columbia.
How to calculate GST and PST in British Columbia
When a purchase is subject to both standard taxes, calculate 5% GST and 7% B.C. PST from the price before tax.
GST amount = price before tax × 0.05
PST amount = price before tax × 0.07
Price including GST and PST = price before tax × 1.12
For example, if an item costs $100 before tax:
- Price before tax: $100
- GST at 5%: $5
- B.C. PST at 7%: $7
- Total price after tax: $112
The 12% combined rate applies only when the purchase is subject to both GST and PST. Some goods and services may be exempt from one tax or treated differently under federal and provincial rules.
How to calculate reverse GST and PST in B.C.
To calculate the original price from a total that includes both 5% GST and 7% PST, divide the tax-inclusive total by 1.12.
Price before tax = price including GST and PST ÷ 1.12
For example, if the total is $112, the original price is $100. The total tax is $12, consisting of $5 GST and $7 PST.
The calculator above performs this reverse sales-tax calculation automatically. Enter the price after tax, and it will calculate the original price and both tax amounts.
British Columbia sales tax history
Before July 1, 2010, British Columbia applied the 5% federal GST and a separate 7% provincial sales tax. On July 1, 2010, the province replaced its PST with a 12% Harmonized Sales Tax (HST).
Following a provincial referendum on the HST, British Columbia returned to the separate GST and PST system on April 1, 2013. The standard rates became 5% GST and 7% PST again, producing the same 12% combined rate when both taxes apply.
This history matters when reviewing older invoices, contracts or transactions. Purchases made between July 1, 2010 and March 31, 2013 may show B.C. HST, while purchases after that period generally show GST and PST separately.
Source: Government of British Columbia—return to PST.
Why GST and B.C. PST may apply differently
GST and B.C. PST are separate taxes administered under different federal and provincial rules. GST applies broadly to taxable goods and services across Canada, while B.C. PST applies primarily to taxable goods, software and specifically listed services.
As a result, a purchase may be subject to GST but exempt from B.C. PST. For example, books and qualifying children’s clothing may be exempt from B.C. PST even though GST can still apply. Some transactions may also be subject to provincial tax while receiving different treatment under the federal GST rules.
The calculator above assumes that both the standard 5% GST and 7% B.C. PST apply. Before relying on the 12% combined rate, confirm whether the particular product or service is taxable under both systems.
See the Government of British Columbia’s PST exemptions for provincial guidance.
For GST, HST, PST, RST and QST rates in other provinces and territories, use our Canadian sales tax calculator.